UHND.com - Notre Dame Football, Basketball, & Recruiting

attempts to marginalize "Libs" and what the British Government did in response to Irish Catholics' calls for "Equality". The following AI overview of what precipitated the "Troubles" there is worth reflecting on...just think in terms of today's Conservatives vs. Liberals in place of Protestants and Catholics, along with a Conservative Government.

Fortunately, a Liberal U.S. President was able to broker peace between the N.I. factions to the point that the majority of Ulster citizens favor an "Open Border" between them and the Republic of Ireland.

-----------------------
AI Overview

What were the Troubles that ravaged Northern Ireland ...

The "Troubles" in Northern Ireland were primarily precipitated by a centuries-old conflict over national identity and religious division, which escalated in the late 1960s due to the Catholic civil rights movement's demand to end discrimination by the Protestant-dominated government. Tensions flared into violence after the Battle of the Bogside in 1968 and subsequent riots, leading to the deployment of British troops and the growth of republican and loyalist paramilitary groups, ultimately resulting in a prolonged period of violence and conflict.

Long-Term Background

Historical Divisions:

The roots of the conflict lie in centuries of religious rivalry between the predominantly Catholic people of Ireland and the Protestant English ruling class.

Partition of Ireland:

In 1921, Ireland was partitioned, with the Irish Free State gaining independence and Northern Ireland remaining under British rule, creating a large Protestant (unionist) majority and a Catholic (nationalist) minority within Northern Ireland.

Immediate Triggers (Late 1960s)

Civil Rights Movement:

In the late 1960s, the Catholic minority launched a civil rights campaign demanding an end to widespread discrimination in housing, jobs, and political representation.

Discriminatory Governance:

The Protestant-controlled government and police force (the Royal Ulster Constabulary) were accused of unfair treatment, leading to demands for equal treatment and an end to discriminatory practices like gerrymandering.

The Battle of the Bogside (1969):
A major turning point was the large-scale riot in the Bogside area of Derry, which escalated into widespread violence across Northern Ireland, kicking off the main phase of the Troubles.

Escalation of Violence

Paramilitary Groups:

The conflict saw the emergence and growth of paramilitary organizations on both sides, including republican groups like the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and loyalist groups, all of whom used guerrilla warfare tactics.

British Military Intervention:

The British government deployed troops to restore order, but their actions, especially incidents like the one on Bloody Sunday (where troops fired on nationalist demonstrators), further angered and alienated both Catholic and Protestant communities, fueling the cycle of violence.

Growing Tensions:

Throughout the period, violence escalated, with attacks by paramilitary groups on security forces, rival groups, and civilians, leaving thousands dead and injured.
----------------------